DDF posts record annual sales in 2008

Nicole Mezzasalma

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The retailer has reported a 23% rise in total annual sales last year to Dh3.95bn ($1.08bn)

Dubai Duty Free (DDF) has announced that total annual sales were up by 23% in 2008 to Dh3.95bn ($1.08bn), a new record for the company. The operator also reported that sales in December 2008 reached a new monthly high at Dh403m ($110m), with sales on the retailer’s anniversary day—December 20—climbing to Dh71m ($19m).

DDF recorded more than 21m sales transactions in 2008, an average of about 58,000 a day, up 11% on the previous year. Fragrances remained the best-selling category with Dh560m ($152m) in annual sales, 14% of the retailer’s total turnover. Liquor achieved sales of Dh517m ($140.8m), followed by gold with sales of Dh448m ($122m).

DDF managing director Colm McLoughlin said: “Passing the $1bn mark was a great achievement and my thanks go to all those who have helped us achieve this great milestone. And on the anniversary day itself our sales were the equivalent of our first full year of operation [1984]. This is a fantastic end to the year and I would like to extend my thanks for his support and guidance to president of the Dubai Department of Civil Aviation Authority and chairman of Dubai Airports, HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum. I also thank our team of staff, who grew to 3,700 this year and who do a great job in providing a first-class operation 24 hours a day.”

Sheikh Al Maktoum added: “This anniversary year has been a remarkable one for Dubai Duty Free. Breaking the $1bn sales milestone in December has been a great achievement and I congratulate the team at Dubai Duty Free for setting a new retailing benchmark and for firmly establishing its position as one of the top duty-free operations in the world.”